Trinh Foundation Australia

What Trinh Foundation Australia does

Trinh Foundation Australia Limited (TFA) is a non-profit organization registered in New South Wales, Australia, established in 2008 to develop the speech-language therapy (SALT) profession in Vietnam, where no such profession existed prior to its founding. The organization works with Vietnamese university partners — University of Medicine and Pharmacy Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy, Hai Duong Medical Technical University, and University of Medicine Pham Ngoc Thach — to establish and deliver bachelor's and master's degree programs, certificate-level courses, and clinical placements, supported by international volunteer speech pathologists. Its operational model is volunteer-led and human-coordinated: an 8-person volunteer board oversees programs run by 3-4 part-time contractors, delivering in-country clinical placements, an annual online telementoring program (Beyond Borders, June to November), Vietnamese-language clinical resources under CC-BY-NC, and a Find a Therapist directory. TFA has trained 127+ Vietnamese SLTs, engaged 155+ international volunteers since 2009, and produced the first BSALT graduates in Northern Vietnam in August 2025.

The organization generates revenue through tax-deductible donations processed via Global Development Group (Project J594), grants from Australian government, MCNV, and USAID/VietHealth, book sales ("A Way with Words"), and a tiered Sponsor a Mentee recurring donation program ($20/$50/$100 monthly). TFA holds Australian Charity Commission registration, ACFID Code of Conduct membership, NSW Charitable Fundraising Authority, and Vietnamese Government INGO registration (No. 10/BNG-HĐ). No proprietary technology platform, AI/ML capabilities, or external investors exist; all board directors and many volunteers self-fund their participation. Strategic partnerships span academic institutions (James Cook University, University of Sydney, Charles Sturt University, University of Queensland, ACU, University of Newcastle), professional bodies (Speech Pathology Australia), and corporate/foundation supporters (QBE, Rotary International, Soroptimist International, VietHealth).

Name

Trinh Foundation Australia

Legal name

Trinh Foundation Australia Limited

Website

https://trinhfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Trinh Foundation Australia is a 2008-established non-profit developing the speech-language therapy profession in Vietnam through volunteer-led clinical education, university partnerships, and telementoring programs, having trained 127+ Vietnamese SLTs across five partner universities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-profit speech therapy capacity building and allied health education

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Teletherapy / Remote Speech-Language Therapy (School-Age) (EDAKAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Speech-Language & Communication Intervention Materials (EDAGAMAF), IEP Speech/Language Evaluation, Goal Setting & Compliance Documentation (EDAKAEAC)

Keywords

• Speech therapy training
• Volunteer placement programs
• Allied health education
• Clinical mentoring services
• Capacity building nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Dover Heights

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropy: Individual and organizational donations accepted via bank transfer, cheque, money orders, and credit card through Global Development Group partnership. Tax-deductible receipts available through approved development project J594.
2. Grants and Funding: Funding from Australian government grants, international aid organizations, and foundations including MCNV, USAID through VietHealth, and various charitable foundations.
3. Book Sales: Proceeds from sale of 'A Way with Words: The Path Towards Speech and Language Therapy in Vietnam' co-authored by Sue Woodward and Janella Christie.
4. Sponsor a Mentee Program: Monthly sponsorship donations of $20, $50, or $100 supporting individual mentee professional development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Trinh Foundation Australia builds sustainable speech-language therapy (SALT) capacity in Vietnam through volunteer-led training programs, in-country clinical placements, an online telementoring program, and university partnership support. Core deliverables include the Beyond Borders Mentoring Program, the In-Country Clinical Placement Program, Vietnamese-language therapy resources, a therapist directory, and the book "A Way with Words." Beneficiaries are Vietnamese universities, speech therapy students and graduates, and people with communication and swallowing disorders in Vietnam.

Product overview

Trinh Foundation Australia operates as a non-profit organization focused on building speech therapy capacity in Vietnam rather than as a traditional product company. Its offerings consist of volunteer-based training programs (clinical placements and online mentoring), educational resources (Vietnamese language treatment materials, fact sheets, ethics training), and fundraising initiatives. The core programs include the Beyond Borders Mentoring Program (online telementoring for Vietnamese SLTs), In-Country Clinical Placement Program (volunteer speech pathologists supporting students in Vietnam), and the Find a Therapist Directory. Supporting resources include Vietnamese language speech therapy materials, the 'A Way with Words' publication, ethics training materials, a glossary of terms, and the Sponsor a Mentee donation program. The organization does not operate as a unified platform but rather as a coordination hub connecting international volunteers with Vietnamese speech therapy education and clinical development needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Beyond Borders Mentoring Program
• In-Country Clinical Placement Program Clinical placement opportunities for qualified volunteer speech pathologists placed in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hai Phong) to work with BSALT and MSALT students and graduates across adult, paediatric, and combined caseloads. Minimum 4-week in-country commitment scheduled around Vietnamese university calendars.
• Find a Therapist Directory A location-map-based directory for searching speech therapists in Vietnam, helping individuals find qualified speech and language therapy services across the country.
• A Way with Words: The Path Towards Speech and Language Therapy in Vietnam A book co-authored by TFA Co-Founder Sue Woodward and longtime volunteer Janella Christie documenting the journey to develop the profession of Speech and Language Therapy in Vietnam. A portion of proceeds supports TFA programs.
• Sponsor a Mentee Program A program allowing supporters to make ongoing monthly donations ($20, $50, or $100) to support the training and professional development of Vietnamese speech therapy mentees, with tax-deductible donation options processed via Global Development Group.

Quantifiable outcome

• 127+ Vietnamese SLTs trained and working in Vietnam
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MCNV (Medical Committee Netherlands-Vietnam)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey implementation partner for SALT degree program development in Vietnam. Collaborated on bachelor's and master's degree programs at multiple Vietnamese universities. Funding partner through USAID/VietHealth.
• University of Medicine and Pharmacy Ho Chi Minh CitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university for BSALT and MSALT program delivery. Hosts clinical placements for final-year students. TFA provides technical advice, overseas lecturers, and clinical supervision support.
• Da Nang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy (DUMPT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university for developing and delivering speech therapy degree programs. Has received TFA volunteer clinical educators and lecturers support since program inception.
• Hai Duong Medical Technical University (HMTU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished first BSALT program in Northern Vietnam with TFA support. First cohort of 16 graduates celebrated in August 2025. Program combines classroom, online learning, and hospital placements.
• University of Medicine Pham Ngoc Thach (UPNT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNow independently delivers SALT certificate-level courses originally developed with TFA support. Represents sustainability milestone for profession development.
• Australian Volunteers Program (AVI/AVP)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupports long-term TFA volunteers with placement coordination, insurance, and stipends. Several TFA volunteers have been placed through this program.
• James Cook UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing lecturers and academic expertise for BSALT and MSALT program development. Louise Brown served as Academic Head of Speech Pathology before transition to adjunct role.
• University of SydneyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner supporting speech pathology education development. Mary Phan, a graduate, is completing Master of Speech Language Pathology there.
• Charles Sturt UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner; Dr Kate Margetson is a postdoctoral research fellow there and volunteered with TFA in 2015.
• University of NewcastleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents developed fact sheets and pamphlets in collaboration with Vietnamese speech pathologists for Vietnamese and English resources.
• The University of QueenslandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr Anne Hill serves as Honorary Associate Professor and contributed to interprofessional placement planning and implementation.
• Australian Catholic UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as supporter providing academic support for speech pathology education development.
• Speech Pathology AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional body partner; provides accreditation support and professional development resources for Australian-based volunteers.
• Enjoyable EnglishcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBased in Hue, sources, trains, and provides interpreters and translators for TFA academic and mentoring programs. Ms Ho Thi My Linh leads the team.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• ReSurge International: International nonprofit providing reconstructive surgical care and training in low- and middle-income countries. Comparable in volunteer-driven training model and university partnership structure, but focused on surgical specialties rather than speech-language therapy.
• Global Health Corps: Nonprofit that places emerging health leaders in year-long paid fellowships at health organizations in Africa and the US. Comparable in placing skilled professionals in capacity-building roles within partner organizations, though GHC's fellowship model is paid/structured rather than TFA's volunteer-based model.
• Cure International: Christian nonprofit operating pediatric hospitals and training programs in low- and middle-income countries, with a focus on disability and chronic conditions including cleft care. Comparable as a faith/values-driven capacity builder in pediatric specialty health in emerging markets, but focused on surgical/disability care rather than speech therapy profession-building.

Broad incumbents

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): The US professional body for speech-language pathologists, providing accreditation, professional development, and advocacy globally. Comparable as a capacity-building institution for the SALT profession, though ASHA operates at vastly larger scale and in a mature market, whereas TFA focuses on profession-building in a country where SALT did not previously exist.
• Speech Pathology Australia (SPA): The Australian peak body for speech pathologists. Directly comparable because TFA's Co-Chairs, directors, and many volunteers are SPA members/CPSPs and the foundation draws on Australian academic and clinical institutions affiliated with SPA. SPA is the established domestic counterpart; TFA exports that expertise internationally.
• Project HOPE: Large international health and humanitarian organization with capacity-building, training, and health workforce programs in low-resource countries. Comparable as an institutional model for building local health workforce capacity through partnerships, though Project HOPE operates at significantly larger scale and across multiple specialties and geographies.
• Smile Train: Global nonprofit focused on cleft lip and palate treatment and comprehensive care including speech therapy in over 90 countries. Shares TFA's cleft-related origins and the speech-language therapy capacity-building mission, but operates at much larger scale and with a tech-enabled, training-focused 'teach a man to fish' model.

Direct peers

• Medical Committee Netherlands-Vietnam (MCNV): Dutch INGO with 50+ years of work on health, education, and disability inclusion in Vietnam. Both a direct peer (similar Vietnam-focused health capacity building) and a TFA core implementation partner. Operates at larger scale and across multiple health areas.
• Operation Smile: International nonprofit providing cleft lip and palate treatment and training in low- and middle-income countries. Highly comparable as TFA's origin traces to Sue Woodward's cleft team work in Vietnam in 2007; both organizations focus on speech/cleft capacity building through volunteer clinical training, though Operation Smile's scope is broader surgical + SLP.
• Health Volunteers Overseas: US-based nonprofit that sends skilled health professionals to train local providers in low-resource settings. Closely comparable model to TFA — volunteer health professionals, in-country and online mentoring, university partnership approach — but operating across multiple health disciplines and countries rather than focused on SALT in one country.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/trinh-foundation-australia

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Trinh Foundation Australia